Discharge door construction for a fiber conditioning apparatus



June 5, 1956 F. A. BusALD 2,748,998

DISCHARGE DOOR CONSTRUCTION FOR A FIBER CONDITIONING APPARATUS Filed May1, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet l ZETZVEWTET' Frazzw's A. Busa/a Jun 1956 F. A.BUSALD 2,748,998

DISCHARGE DOOR CONSTRUCTION FOR A FIBER CONDITIONING APPARATUS Filed May1, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fl q Z a ETYEZTZET Francis A. Busa/a June 5,1956 F. A. BUSALD 2,

oooooooooooooooooooooooooo OR AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA us Filed May 1,1952 5 ssssssssss at s fizz 5 772227? b 72M; 2... @GHZZHE Unite tatesDISCHARGE DOOR CONSTRUCTION FOR A FIBER CONDITIONING APPARATUS Thepresent invention relates generally to fiber conditioning apparatus andmore particularly to an improved discharge door construction which willprovide improved flow characteristics at the region of a dischargeopening in a fiber feeding and Weighing machine.

According to the general features of the present invention, a fiberfeeding and weighing machine of the type having a casing providing ahopper receiving an accumulation of fibers is equipped with an endlessbelt-type spiked conveyor apron which carries fibers to a dischargeopening positioned superjacent a weigh box. The discharge opening iscontrolled by a two element valve, one element of the valve comprising aplate pivo'tally hinged on one end and movable from a substantiallyvertical open position to an inclined closed position. The other elementof the valve comprises a second plate pivotally hinged on one end andmovable from an open position adjacent and parallel to one leg of theconveyor apron to a closed position substantially in coplanar alignmentwith the first valve element, thereby to form a complete closure for thevalve opening as well as an acutely inclined ramp tending to recirculatethe fibers away from the discharge opening towards the conveyor apronfor recirculation to the hopper.

The proximity of the second valve element closely adjacent the spikedconveyor belt precludes the accumulation of fibers in the locale of thedischarge opening so that the fiber feeding and weighing machine mayenjoy improved sensitivity and accuracy during operation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved doorconstruction for the discharge opening of a fiber feeding and weighingmachine which will improve fiow characteristics at the region of thedischarge opening.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a door apparatusfor the discharge opening of a fiber conditio'ning machine which willimprove the sensitivity and accuracy of the machine during operation.

Many other features, advantages and additional objects of the presentinvention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon makingreference to the detailed description which follows and the accompanyingsheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodimentincorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way ofillustrative example only.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view with parts removed to show additionaldetails of construction showing a fiber feeding and weighing machineincorporating the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view with parts shown in elevation andwith parts removed for the sake of clarity taken substantially on line11-11 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevational view with parts shown in sectiontaken substantially on line III-III of Figure 2.

As shown on the drawings:

A fiber conditioning apparatus taking the form of a fiber feeding andWeighing machine is indicated generally iQQ at 10 and comprises a sheetmetal casing 11 suitably rein= forced by angle iron supports 12. Thecasing 11 provides a hopper 13 receiving a supply of fibers. As oneillustration of use, the fiber feeding and weighing machine 10 could beused in the opening room as one machine of a battery each receiving adifferent type of fiber and each of the fiber feeding and weighingmachines being used to pre-condition the fibers and to proportion thefibers preparatory to blending of the fibers and delivery of the blendedfibers to the picker room.

Adjacent the hopper 13 the casing 11 is provided with a projectingportion having a generally horizontally disposed discharge opening 14.

An endless belt-type spike conveyor apron 16 carrying a plurality ofpins 1'7 is used to break up the fibers in the hopper l3 and to carry asteady stream of fibers towards the discharge opening 14. One end of theconveyor apron 16 is trained over idler rollers carried by an idlershaft (not shown) supported by the casing 11 adjacent the lower portionof the hopper 13 and the other end of the conveyor apron 16 is trainedover a drive roller 18 carried by a drive shaft 19. A plurality ofsupport members 20a are carried in firm assembly with the casing 11 andsupport a baffle 20 in parallel spaced alignment to one leg 16a of theconveyor apron 1'6 so as to form a recirculation passage 21 forreturning fibers to the hopper 13. In normal operation, the drive roller18 is rotated clockwise, as indicated by the arrow 22 so that the leg16a of the conveyor apron 16 moves downwardly and the leg 16b of theconveyor apron 16 moves upwardly to carry the fibers out of the hopper13.

As shown in the drawings, the conveyor apron 16 is preferably inclinedat an angle of approximately 6080 to horizontal.

The fiber feeding and weighing machine it) is further provided with arotary comb indicated generally at 23 and comprising a comb shaft 24mounting a support spider 26 at longitudinally spaced intervals alongthe shaft 24 which carry pin frames 27 each having a plurality ofprojecting pins 28 or comb teeth for engaging the fibers carried on theconveyor apron 16. In order to strip fibers from the teeth or pins 28, aplurality of rings 29 are carried on a rod framework 30 and areinterposed between respective pairs of the teeth in eccentricallydisposed relationship with respect to the comb shaft 24 so that rotationof the shaft 24 will result in a relative radial movement between thepins 28 and the disks or rings 2% whereupon any fibers caught on thepins 28 will be stripped therefrom. It will be understood that thecooperation of the rotary fiber comb apparatus 23 with the conveyorapron 16 assists in separating the fibers and properly conditioning sameprior to delivery thereof to the discharge opening 14.

Adjacent the end of the conveyor apron i5 is provided a dofiingapparatus indicated generally at 31 and comprising a dofiing shaft 32rotatably supporting a doffing drum 33 having a plurality of flexibledoffer elements 34 con nected thereto and which are adapted to removethe fibers carried by the conveyor apron 316 for discharge through theopening 14.

As is more specifically shown in Figure l, the casing 11 carriessuitable reinforcement means 36 thereby to support end bearings forjournalling the various rotative elements previously described, the combshaft 24 being journalled in a bearing structure 37 and the doifer shaft32 being journalled in a bearing structure 33. A drive sheave 39 isconnected to the dolfer shaft 32 and is rotatably driven by a belt 40trained over a pulley 51 connected in driven assembly with a motor 42mounted atop the casing 11 on a'platform 43.

The drive shaft 19, in turn, is driven from the dofi'er shaft 32 by adrive arrangement (not shown) and the greases comb shaft 26 is, in turn,driven from the drive shaft 19 by means of a pair of pulley wheels 44and 46 having a pulley belt 47 trained thereover and connected to thedrive shaft H and the comb shaft 24-, respectively.

According to the principles of the present invention, the dischargeopening 14 is controlled by an improved door or valve assembly so as toprovide improved flow characteristics at the region of the dischargeopening 14 Positioned subjacent the discharge opening 14 is a weigh box4-8 which, in this preferred embodiment, is pendulously supported from apair of spaced weigh bars, one of which is shown at 49, by means of thinmetal suspension straps, one of which is shown at 59.

The weigh bars 49 are, in turn, pendulously supported on the casing 11by means of brackets, one of which is shown at 51 firmly connected tothe casing l1 by a pinrality of fasteners 52, by means of thin metalsuspension straps, one of which is shown at 53.

The spaced weigh bars 49 are connected by means of a cross rod 54 whichextends through appropriate openings 55 formed in the casing 11 and madesuficiently large to accommodate the movement thereof. The weigh barmechanism is of the beam balance type and includes adjustable weightmeans 56.

in order to control the regulation of electrical circuits in response tothe functioning of the weigh bar mechanism, a Mercoid switch 57 isassembled on the weigh bar 49 shown in Figure l by means of anadjustable bracket 53. Thus, movement of the weigh bar 49 in response tothe accumulation of a predetermined weight of fibers in the weigh box 48will close the switch 57.

A particular feature of the present invention resides in the location ofthe cross rod 5 between the parallel legs 16a and 16b of the conveyorapron 16. The weigh bars 4%, of course, extend toward the dischargeopening 14 adjacent the sides of the apron 167 Therefore, by effectivelyutilizing the space between the legs 16:: and 16b of the apron 16, thecross rod 54 is more or less concealed and does not interfere with thefunctioning of any of the components or the discharge flow of fiberspassing through the discharge opening 14.

The door or valve means controlling the flow of fibers through thedischarge opening 14 is particularly adapted to preclude theaccumulation of fibers in the locale of the discharge opening 14 so thatthe fiber feeding machine may enjoy improved sensitivity and accuracyduring operation.

To that end, a first pivot rod 66 is journaled in a pair of bearingbrackets 61 carried by the casing fill and supports a first valve plate62 which is connected to the pivot rod 60 by a plurality of supportbrackets 63. It will be understood that the support brackets 63 may beplaced in firm assembly with the valve plate 62 in any convenientmanner, for example, by spot welding or the like.

It will be noted that the first pivot rod 61} is located below the levelof the discharge opening 14 and on one side thereof. On the oppositeside of the discharge opening 14 and above the level thereof is locateda second pivot rod 64 which is journalled in a pair of bearing brackets66 carried by the casing it? A plurality of support brackets 67 arefirmly connected to a second valve plate 6% and are connected forcorotation with the pivot rod 64.

A first crank arm 69 is connected to the first pivot rod 60 and a secondcrank arm 76 is connected to the second pivot rod 64. The crank rods 69and 76 are interconnected for unison movement only by means of a leverarm 71 pivotally connected to the crank arms 69 and '70 by means ofpivot pins 72.

In closed position, the valve plates 62 and 68 extend towards theopposite pivot rods 64 and 6%, respectively, thereby lying in generallycoplanar relationship and together forming a complete closure for thedischarge opening 14. In closed position the valve plates 62 and 68 alsoform an inclined ramp which, as is shown in the drawings, is inclined atan angle of approximately to to the horizontal and which directs fibersdischarged in the locale of the opening 14 towards the recirculatingpassage 21 formed between the baffle 20 and the leg 16a of the conveyorapron 16. The included angle between the ramp and the recirculatingpassage will be approximately 25 to 30, as is shown in the drawings. Thefibers slide down the ramp and are engaged by the pins 17 on the leg 16aof the conveyor apron 16 moving adjacent the discharge opening 14 so asto preclude accumulation of fibers in the discharge zone adjacent theopening 14. If the machine it) is of the type wherein the drive motor isstopped upon closing of the valve plates 62 and 68, the coasting actionof the conveyor apron 16 is sufficient to clear fibers off the ramp.

In order to permit flow of fibers through the discharge opening 14, thevalve plate 62 is pivotally displaceable upwardly into generallyparallel spaced alignment relative to the leg 16a of the conveyor apron16 while the valve plate 68 is generally pivotally displaceabledownwardly into a substantially vertical position. In other words, thevalve plates 62 and 68 are movable towards a generally parallelalignment, thereby providing a full open throat through which the fibersmay be discharged. It will be understood that the provision of the crankarms 69 and 7t linked by the lever arm 71 will insure unison movement ofthe valve plates 62 and 68-.

in order to counterbalance the mechanism, the crank arm 69 is providedwith an extension 73 having a counterweight 74- adjustably positionablethereon.

The marginal edge of the valve plate 68 is reinforced by a reverselyturned flange indicated at 76 and the cut off characteristics of thevalve mechanism are improved by providing an acutely inclined flange '77on one margin of the valve plate 62 underlying the margin of the valveplate 68, Thus, in closed door position, the apex between the flange 77and the valve plate 62 lies below the flange 68 so that fibers will passoff the valve plate 68 onto the valve plate 62, but none will passthrough the opening 14. A stop member 78 is connected to the casing 11by a plurality of fasteners 79 and engages the valve plate 62 when movedto the open position (dotted lines Figure 3). In this position, theflange 77 acts as a baflle to assist in preventing the accumulation offibers in the locale of the discharge opening 14.

Automatic operation of the control mechanism is achieved by providing asolenoid motor 80 or some other suitable form of prime mover torotatively drive the pivot rod 64, the motor fill having a drivingconnection with the pivot rod 64 as is indicated at 81. Rotation of thepivot rod 64 will result in the unison rotation of the pivot rod 60. Itwill be understood that energization of the sole-Z noid motor or otherform of prime mover may be regulated by means of the switch 57 on theweigh bar 49 so that the discharge flow of fibers will be immediatelycut off upon attainment of a certain predetermined weight of fibers inthe weigh box 4-8.

Because of the improved operation of the control apparatus, a cyclicoperation of the fiber feeding and weighing machine 10 involving veryminute quantities of fibers may be readily effected.

By way of summary, the operation of the invention is as follows. Thebelt-type spiked conveyor apron 16 carries fibers to the dischargeopening 14 controlled by the two-element valve including the valveelement 68 pivotally hinged at one end and movable from a substantiallyvertical open position to an inclined closed position and the valveelement 62 which comprises a second plate pivotally hinged at one endand movable from an open position adjacent and parallel to one leg ofthe conveyor apron to a closed position substantially in coplanaralignment with the valve element 63, thereby to form a complete closurefor the valve opening as well as an acutely inclined ramp tending torecirculate the fibers away from the discharge opening 14 towards theconveyor apron 16 for recirculation to the hopper 13. By virtue of sucharrangement, accumulation of fibers in the locale of the dischargeopening is precluded.

It should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of thepatent warranted hereon all that reasonably and properly comes withinthe scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a fiber feeding machine having a discharge opening, theimprovement of a two piece valve controlling the fiow of fibers throughthe discharge opening, one piece of said valx e comprising a platepivotally hinged on one margin at one pivot axis and movable upwardlyfrom a substantially vertical open position to an inclined closedposition, the other piece of said valve comprising a second platepivotally hinged at one margin at a second pivot axis below said firstaxis and movable from an open displaced position downwardly to a closedposition in general co-planar relation with said one piece of saidvalve, said two valve pieces forming together with one another acomplete closure for said opening and forming in closed position acontinuous planar surface providing an inclined ramp to direct fibersaway from said opening.

2. In a fiber feeding machine, casing means having a discharge openingformed therein, valve means to control the flow of fibers through theopening, comprising a first pivot rod below the level of the opening andon one side thereof, a second pivot rod above the level of the openingand on the opposite side thereof, a first plate connected to said firstpivot rod, a second plate connected to said second pivot rod, both ofsaid plates extending towards the opposite of each of said pivot rods ingenerally co-planar relation, said plates terminating short ofengagement but together forming a complete closure for the opening andin closed position forming a ramp to direct fibers away from theopening, and means to open said plates in unison, said first platepivotally movable upwardly and said second plate pivotally movabledownwardly, whereby said plates are moved towards generally parallelplanar relation to open said discharge opening.

3. In a fiber feeding machine as defined in claim 2, one of said plateshaving a flanged leading edge to control the cut-off characteristics ofthe valve.

4. In a fiber feeding machine, casing means having formed thereinlongitudinally adjacent one another a storage hopper and a dischargeopening respectively, a twoelement door controlling the opening, eachelement of said door comprising a plate having one marginal edge hingedat different levels for pivotal movement towards and away from co-planarclosed door alignment, the opposite marginal edge of one plateunderlying the corresponding opposite marginal edge of the other platewhen said plates are in closed door position.

5. In a fiber handling machine, a casing having a discharge openingformed therein, said casing having a hopper formed therein adjacent saidopening, and means controlling the fiow of fibers through said openingwithout accumulating fibers in said opening comprising, a first platehinged to said casing above said opening and depending adjacent one sideof said opening, said first plate being pivotally movable into angularlyinclined closed position across a portion of said opening, and a secondplate hinged to said casing below said opening directly adjacent saidhopper and extending adjacent the opposite side of said opening, saidsecond plate being pivotally movable into an angularly inclined closedposition across another portion of said opening, said first and secondplates closing into a substantially coplanar relation with the margin ofsaid first plate overlying the margin of said second plate and togetherforming a ramp inclined to direct fibers away from said opening andtowards the hopper.

6. in a fiber-handling machine having a discharge opening, theimprovement of valve means for said opening comprising a first platehinged along one margin to said casing and depending along one side ofsaid discharge opening, said first plate being pivotally movableupwardly into an angularly inclined closed position in said dischargezone and across a portion of said opening, and a second plate hingedalong one margin to said casing and extending upwardly along the otherside of said discharge opening, said second plate being pivotallymovable downwardly into substantially co-planar relation with said firstplate, the other margin of said second plate underlying the other marginof said first plate when in closed position, said plates togetherproviding an inclined ramp directing fibers away from said dischargezone and precluding accumulation of fibers adjacent said opening.

7. In a fiber feeding machine having casing means providing a storagehopper and a gravity discharge opening adjacent said hopper, a valveassembly controlling the flow of fibers through said opening comprisinga first pivot rod supported by said casing means below the level of thedischarge opening on the side of said opening immediately adjacent saidhopper, a second pivot rod supported by said casing means above thelevel of the discharge opening and on the opposite side of saiddischarge opening from said first pivot rod, a first valve plateconnected to said first pivot rod, a second valve plate connected tosaid second pivot rod, both of said valve plates extending towards eachother in generally co-planar relation to form a complete closure forsaid discharge opening and forming an inclined ramp to redirect fibersaway from said discharge opening into said storage hopper, a first crankarm connected to said first pivot rod, a second crank arm connected tosaid second pivot rod, a lever arm pivotally connecting said first andsecond crank arms, and a motor angularly displacing one of said pivotrods to open both of said plates in unison towards a generally parallelplanar relation.

8. In a fiber feeding machine having a casing having upstanding wallsforming a hopper and providing a discharge opening adjacent one of saidupstanding walls and spaced outwardly of said hopper, the improvement ofa two piece valve in said discharge opening for controlling thedischarge of fibers comprising a pair of plates arranged in inclinedco-planar relation to close the opening and forming a ramp adapted toredirect fibers away from the opening and back into said hopper when inclosed position, and support means pivotally supporting said pair ofplates on said casing for movement towards a parallel planar relationwith one of said plates being angularly aligned in said casing toprevent accumulation of fibers in the locale of the discharge opening.

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